Disqus - Friends of trenchcoat

Re: About Afghanistan…

Karoli — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 18:21:56 -0000

I'm not a fan of crop substitution, but it's worth noting that in 2001 (when the Taliban was in power), the opium exports dropped to nearly zero. That proves to me that a strong government (not necessarily totalitarian, but strong) can influence the opium trade in a negative fashion. In a 2009 survey done in June, over 80% of Afghans said they had faith in the Afghan Army, and over 70% in the Afghan police. That tells me that there has been progress in training and raising local support for a strong government. Karzai, in my opinion, is not the strongest leader Afghanistan could have. He is, however, what they've got for the time being. The question is whether or not a counterinsurgency effort could build the Afghan army and police force to a point where, when combined with strong leadership, they could actually be successful at self-governance and eradication (or at least, strong diminishment) of the opium trade in favor of other moneymaking ventures.

I totally agree with you about the cultural aspects being important and being a strength Obama has on his side. One of the reasons I wrote this post was a) to start a discussion about the different aspects of this decision and b) to make the case that if he does choose to send additional troops, it's a decision made within the frame of a cultural understanding. He's a very intelligent man who is listening to all sides of the debate. I don't believe he will just willy-nilly send troops in there without a plan, a goal, and a timeline.

Re: About Afghanistan…

Karoli — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 17:06:20 -0000

My problem is that much of what has happened over the past 30 years is the clear result of a chaotic and self-serving American policy there. We support them before we don't. We neglect them before we pay attention before we neglect them again. Until 2005, we had a real opportunity there, but because the Bush administration deemed Iraq more important than Afghanistan, they simply didn't pay attention. Combine that with the commonly advanced meme that it's an ungovernable country (it's not), and confusion reigns.

Really, for me, the question is whether we can undo some of the damage done, and in the process, use leverage in Afghanistan to stabilize the region.

Re: Standing in the gap: Health care reform may come too late for some

Karoli — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 03:42:47 -0000

It's a guarantee that if something isn't done, a Republican will be in
office. The only hope for real change is to just get it done.

Re: First Pass: What the House Health Care Reform Bill Does Right Now

Karoli — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 17:03:52 -0000

1) I haven't gotten to the effective dates for the individual mandate, which is really your question...I'll tell you as soon as I find them.
2)The 10K is a copayment limit, not a premium. I'm still picking my way through the subsidies to see how they fall.
3)Here's the exact sunshine language, which is a bit...bony right now.
The Secretary of Health and Human Services, in con- junction with States, shall establish a process for the annual review of increases in premiums for health insurance coverage. Such process shall require health insurance issuers to submit a justification for any premium increases prior to implementation of the increase.

Re: Finding America; Finding Dreams

Karoli — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 20:01:40 -0000

Just saw the pic of the Camaro, Connie. It's awesome. Having been the beneficiary of GM's loan program, I'm excited to see how Jane likes the vehicles. I loved the hybrid I drove to BlogHer '07. Though it was too big for me to consider owning, I've been anxiously awaiting the release of the Volt...and hoping I'll get to be a tester/blogger when it finally comes out. Right now we're sharing a Prius between my husband and I, but the Volt looks ready-made for me. I was (and am) really impressed by the hybrid technology you all are bringing onto the market. Can't wait.

Re: Standing in the gap: Health care reform may come too late for some

Karoli — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 00:41:03 -0000

Not that I disagree w/reducing unemployment (as I continue to try to hunt down the perfect job, make it mine), but it misses the issue of ageism (which does exist) and the self-employed/small businesses (who are big drivers of innovation, job creation).

Re: Standing in the gap: Health care reform may come too late for some

Karoli — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 22:12:02 -0000

Seriously. I really do believe the Medicare buy-in is the most practical way to bridge the gap for people like me. It's an established system, it's in need of more cash, and we're not all uninsurable. We're just uninsured. Big difference. High risk pools, if they operate like the auto insurance pools, mean premiums well in excess of what we can afford, particularly without being employed. AND...by continuing to tie insurance to employment, we're stuck with the implicit ageism that comes with higher insurance premiums for age.

The only thing good about it is that some of our representatives truly understand the problem. I have nothing but high praise for Rep. Miller's staff, not only because they looked for a better answer than "I don't know", but because they cared enough to find one and relay my concerns.

Re: Meet The Right Wing Charity Cartel

Karoli — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 16:12:50 -0000

I went to the AT&T store to buy a new case for my iPhone today. I paid
cash. Before they rang up my purchase, they requested my cell phone
number, business name, and the last 4 digits of my business ID
number. It was almost not worth it for a $20 phone case. When I hear
the argument against government invasiveness, I wonder why the same
argument is not made against corporate entities. Why should AT&T have
to know my account number to sell me a case for my phone? Why should
the pharmacy be tracking not only my prescription purchases, but my
shampoo choices? Why should the bookstore have a database of
everything I've read?

Don't even get me started on credit scores and banks...I can rant for
days on that one. What is it about for-profit entities that makes it
okay for them to be invasive? Are they any more trustworthy than the
government? I hardly think so. This argument is a red herring.

Here's something interesting. On my call with Senator Merkley today,
he discussed public insurance plans that have a proven track record.
Oregon, it seems, has had a 'public option' for Workers' Compensation
for 20 years. Their costs today are half of what they were 20 years
ago. That strikes me as pretty compelling evidence for a public option.

Re: Meet The Right Wing Charity Cartel

Karoli — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 03:36:59 -0000

Indeed, leftsideout. Not only does it squash job mobility, but it
discourages entrepreneurship and the creation of small businesses.
What person in their right mind would ever choose self-employment over
the security of employer-provided group health insurance, particularly
if they've ever had any health issue that insurers deem a future
liability.

Re: Meet The Right Wing Charity Cartel

Karoli — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 23:28:52 -0000

If what you say is true, why is Medicare so popular?

Re: Meet The Right Wing Charity Cartel

Karoli — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 14:19:57 -0000

I'm in the process of redesigning the site, which is why it's
difficult right now to find certain things, though you can use the
navigation links at the top or the search function to find them. As I
finalize the design, you'll see more of the other posts emerging, and
in the meantime my photography is being posted on http://karoli.posterous.com
right now. As my time unemployed continues into its 10th month and
the reason is usually related to age and the cost of health insurance
for me and my family, I have decided that I need to make my own
future. I hope it will involve being employed in a cause-based role
either as a researcher, reporter, community manager on the web. If
nothing materializes, I may make my own proposal and pitch it for
funding.

I'm glad we were able to clear that up.

Re: Orrin Hatch, MoveOn, and George Soros: The truth

Karoli — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 21:10:27 -0000

I take it you have no objection to me referring to Adelson as a right-wing scurrilous neocon parasite who made his fortune feeding on people's worst vices, then?

Re: Meet The Right Wing Charity Cartel

Karoli — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 23:46:48 -0000

PS. Everything I write, whether a comment, a tweet, or a post that has my name on it without any embellishment (I suppose there is the possibility of a twitter impersonator) is mine. My comments tend to be off the cuff. My posts tend to be more edited, thought out. Tweets are 140 characters of instant thought. Yes, they're all mine.

Re: Meet The Right Wing Charity Cartel

Karoli — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 23:44:58 -0000

Part of me wants to really smack back for that insult, but I will simply offer my political blog, which I used to keep separately but which I have now merged in, as evidence of my writing.

No one writes posts for this site but me, and once in awhile, a guest post by my daughter. The only difference between now and a few months ago is that I decided to merge the political writing with the personal writing.

Here is the link to my political blog: http://politics.drumsnwhistles.com/

Here are a few samples just in case you don't feel like picking through my liberal rants: http://politics.drumsnwhistles.com/2009/01/wher... (on 401k hysteria)

http://politics.drumsnwhistles.com/2007/01/is-t... (on Iran's non-threat)

and, the Yes on 8 bus tour post

http://politics.drumsnwhistles.com/2008/10/yes-...

The only difference between now and a few months ago is the location of the post.

Re: Meet The Right Wing Charity Cartel

Karoli — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 21:49:18 -0000

With the exception of Scaife, who has the 50-year timeline, the rest of them contribute and fund (collectively) around 35 million/year.

I am not arguing that anyone can use their money as they see fit. It just struck me as more than a little intellectually bereft to criticize the Tides Foundation (rather than, for example, Soros or his related foundations) for the work they do, and to insinuate that there was some deep and illegal tie between them and Obama without acknowledging the very, very deep valley that right-wing charitable giving has funded.

FYI, the reason he didn't call out Soros Charitable Foundation or related entities? The absence of five letters: ACORN. At least, that's how it looks to me.

Re: Insurers Adopt Tobacco Strategy, Make Case for the Public Option

Karoli — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 19:04:48 -0000

I think at this point, it is a waste of your time and mine to argue
the point. Your mind will not be changed, nor will mine. There is a
time where it's worth acknowledging that we both have a grasp of our
facts, whatever those are, and agree to disagree. While it bothers me
that you are willing to be led by those with high monetary gains in
front of their rhetoric, I'm grateful that we live in a country that
allows us both to hold differing opinions, express them, and vote
accordingly. The post you're commenting on simply reported facts. The
millions of dollars spent by a very few people to shape the debate is
not what I call democracy. As long as you're okay with that, so be it.

By the way...my Republican husband is no longer a Republican (nor is
he a Democrat), primarily because of their refusal to sit down at the
table and have an honest debate about health care reform. Further, he
strongly supports a public option because he has enough real-life
experience with insurers to understand that until they are forced to
deal with their customers honestly, they won't. He will also tell you
about the free markets we don't have in this country, and how the
actions of a few endanger the lives, livelihoods, and financial
security of many. Again, his perspective comes from years of
observation inside and outside of the industry. His word, not mine,
for the intellectual dishonesty of the Republican attitude on health
care reform? Shameful.

That doesn't mean he's turned into a liberal. He hasn't. He's
inherently conservative, and believes the best option for health care
is single payer, because it's the most cost-effective. But he's
pragmatic, and will support a strong public option in lieu of single
payer, with the goal of getting to single payer at some point. He also
believes that Medicare should be expanded to age 50 as part of the
final bill, with Medicare Advantage phased out over the next 10
years. At the core of his beliefs, there is a strong understanding of
the economic disaster awaiting large and small businesses as well as
individuals if we do not get our health care system reformed.

So...I agree to disagree with you. I'm sorry my views disgust you, but
really, try on the other side of the debate for a few minutes and see
if you can at least view it through a less tainted lens than the one
bought and paid for by our insurance lobby. You won't agree, but you
might be less disgusted.

Re: Insurers Adopt Tobacco Strategy, Make Case for the Public Option

Karoli — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 13:53:07 -0000

My sense is that we're not going to see pushback until health care
reform passes. that's got to get through before there's anything
aggressive. And duhhh, I remember your Phil Gramm essay on MOMocrats!
The brain melts in the face of all the info hitting it.

Re: Insurers Adopt Tobacco Strategy, Make Case for the Public Option

Karoli — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 03:27:50 -0000

LOL! If you're disgusted, don't read it.

Are you seriously arguing that the use of propagandist techniques worthy of Russian kudos in the 50's are justifiable? Do you view that as an honest debate?

I have given you the roadmap written 15 years ago as the strategy to defeat health care reform. The majority of the "facts" churned out by these think tanks were demonstrably false and have been debunked over and over again.

Yet, you still quote them, chapter and verse, as though once proven wrong, everything else they say must be right.

Read the memo. I didn't write it; one of the primary architects for your side did. Especially dig deep into the tone, the derision aimed at the people of this country, the middle class. Knowing what you know today about the effects of tobacco, can you seriously argue the intellectual honesty of their arguments?

15 years later the same strategy and tactics are in play. Instead of standing on facts that actually have some substance, you're claiming facts not in evidence.

Here's a fact for you: On a per capita basis, not dealing with the health crisis we have will cost everyone, rich and poor alike. Right now taxes are as low as they've been in decades. It's no coincidence that the gap between the rich and poor is wider than it's ever been, and that the middle class is slowly sinking into the poverty zone.

Just as you claim I have not answered any of your questions, neither have you answered mine; namely, how you justify the spending in Iraq (I will not even include Afghanistan in the question), the Bush stimulus payments, the unfunded Medicare Advantage subsidies which are the primary source of insurers' profits, and any number of other initiatives left over from the days of Reagan, Bush and Bush?

I don't really expect you to answer, any more than you expect me to. My point is simply this: less than 1% of our current defense budget could pay for health care reform. Single payer, even. Yet no conservative would ever consider such a thing. Why would we quit paying for bombs to start preserving ordinary lives?

Re: Insurers Adopt Tobacco Strategy, Make Case for the Public Option

Karoli — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 19:30:44 -0000

I don't understand why there isn't more hue and cry for Glass-Steagall. Because it would mean divorcing unholy alliances? I have no clue, but the derivatives market is going to rise up and bite us again soon, I think.

One interesting factoid: Phil Gramm was the architect of Glass-Steagall's undoing. In this tobacco memo, it is Phil Gramm's 'alternatives' that are touted as the answer to "Hillarycare". Phil Gramm was, of course, the darling of the bankers and investment houses (along with the RW think tanks named in the memo), and now serves those masters well with UBS. He's not really in the forefront of the current debate, but I'm sure he's playing behind the scenes.

Re: Insurers Adopt Tobacco Strategy, Make Case for the Public Option

Karoli — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 19:27:49 -0000

Thanks...we can at least hope maybe some are open to a few facts. That memo is a huge eyeopener.

Re: John Boehner and the Freedom Project

Karoli — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 03:54:36 -0000

I agree with you. I just don't know how to do it. I've been wrestling this beast for the past few months, and for the past 6 weeks I've been working on trying to track it, and organize the tracking in a way that makes sense to others. But even then, it's not real-time. It's after the fact, buried in arcane disclosure databases and scattered over a zillion different sites. What I want: a tool that I can employ to track the flow of $ in near real-time...assuming the FEC doesn't kill all reporting entirely. Or the Supreme Court. :(

Re: Free speech: One poke over the line?

Karoli — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 03:50:28 -0000

Hi Ashleigh,

It's my hope that shining light on this stuff will sterilize it. But it will take all of us to lead that charge, because there's a ton of it out there. :(

Re: John Boehner and the Freedom Project

Karoli — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 03:59:14 -0000

Yeah, it's confusing. Freedom Project is a PAC. Funds contributed may flow through the PAC for just about anything from hotel rooms to mass mailings. (and they do). That Ritz Carlton bill is characterized as "hotel expense", which could be anything from the rental of the facility for a fundraiser to hotel/travel expenses for John Boehner. Either way, it represents (to me, anyway) folks living the high life while the rest of us suck canal water, and it certainly doesn't seem very 'conservative'.

Re: Free speech: One poke over the line?

Karoli — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 23:08:57 -0000

Somehow my reply to you got lost in transit on this one. The 400% is not from an anonymous source. Here's the link to it: http://bit.ly/WnvSC

It was written by Ronald Kessler. Not nameless, faceless, or otherwise anonymous.

Re: Why are Pro-Vaccine Folks So Passionate?

Karoli — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 22:32:08 -0000

LOL.